Already as a child, Joseph
showed a fondness for prayer. After a short career with the Capuchins, he joined the Conventuals.
Following a brief assignment caring for the friary mule, Joseph began his studies for the
priesthood. Though studies were very difficult for him, Joseph gained a great deal of knowledge from
prayer. He was ordained in 1628.

Joseph´s tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a
cross; some people came to see this much as they might have gone to a circus sideshow. Joseph´s gift
led him to be humble, patient and obedient, even though at times he was greatly tempted and felt
forsaken by God. He fasted and wore iron chains for much of his life.

The friars transferred
Joseph several times for his own good and for the good of the rest of the community. He was reported
to and investigated by the Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him.

Joseph was canonized in
1767. In the investigation preceding the canonization, 70 incidents of levitation are
recorded.

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